Case Dealer Sign Appraisal

W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. Dealer Program Display (2006)

This item is a hexagonal, framed display case, likely intended for retail use to showcase the offerings of W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. to dealers and customers. The frame appears to be crafted from light-toned wood, possibly oak, with a gold-colored insert or trim running along the inner edge between the wood and the display's black background. The display is covered by a clear protective material, presumably glass or acrylic. The background is a matte black, featuring white and gold lettering. "W.R. CASE & SONS CUTLERY CO. HAND-CRAFTED KNIVES SINCE 1889" is prominently displayed at the top, along with the word "DEALER" in a stylized script. A distinctive red oval 'Case' logo and a smaller gold-toned Case medallion are also affixed to the background. The central part of the display features a diagram illustrating how to interpret Case's factory pattern numbers, indicating 'NUMBER OF BLADES' and 'HANDLE MATERIAL', with an arrow pointing to '2006', suggesting the year of this particular display or collection. Around the perimeter of the display, various small rectangular samples are arranged, each with an associated number from 1 to 10 (though not all numbers are visible, and some seem truncated like '7/P' and '6.5'). These samples showcase different handle materials used by Case, including 'Smooth Mother-of-Pearl', 'Orange' (presumably synthetic), 'Maple, Rosewood Laminted Hardwood', 'Bone Stag', 'Smooth Synthetic Thermoplastic Rubber', 'Smooth Yellow Synthetic', 'Smooth Blue Synthetic', 'Genuine Stag', and 'Jigged Bone (various colors), Jigged Laminated Hardwood'. Two miniature Case knives are displayed at the bottom: an open folding knife with a patterned handle and a closed one with a jigged bone-like handle. The overall condition appears good, with no overt signs of damage or wear visible from the provided images, though minor scuffs on the frame or cover are possible. The craftsmanship of the display itself, with its wooden frame and clear cover, indicates a professionally manufactured piece designed for presentation.